Julissa James, Los Angeles Times Journalist Profile

Articles

Jasmine Benjamin's book "City of Angels" documents L.A. style

2 weeks ago | latimes.com | Julissa James

It was Jasmine Benjamin’s friend, the gallerist Jeffrey Deitch, who persuaded her she needed to make a book about L.A. style. From her early days going to shows and working the door at parties to her many years hustling as a stylist, Benjamin knew everyone — designers, skaters, musicians. She was fluent in the visual language that made up the city, knew its subcultures and neighborhoods like the back of her hand.
A city built by seekers: A journey into L.A.'s spiritual architecture

3 weeks ago | latimes.com | Julissa James

To live in L.A. is to be so inundated with the architecture of its spirituality (and quasi-spirituality) that you don’t even notice it’s there anymore. It’s baked into the foundation of the place, camouflaging as scaffolding as we go about our daily routines. The Church of Scientology becomes nothing but the place you pass by on your way to Found Oyster. The signs on the telephone poles in all caps — “SE LEEN LAS CARTAS” — are part of the neighborhood color.
Relive a Y2K quinceañera in L.A., in all its nostalgia and tenderness

1 month ago | latimes.com | Julissa James

Los Angeles Nomadic Division is celebrating 15 years of championing the city’s artists, and cultural curator Anita Herrera is throwing a true Y2K L.A. quinceañera in its honor on April 26. Titled “El Quince,” the creative project, fundraiser and celebration is just the latest example of Herrera using parties as an artistic medium, which feels like a fitting way to celebrate the milestone at LAND, an organization known for realizing artists’ projects.
Pretending a fresh start is a good thing, or even possible, isn’t growing up

1 month ago | miamiherald.com | Julissa James

The first thrift store I remember going to as a child was called Amvets. It was a warehouse-like space that sat between the alley of an apartment complex, a trailer park and a gas station. I'd spend hours under the rows of industrial fluorescent lights playing with the plastic toys that lined the left wall, or I'd hide behind the cheap bridal gowns, hugging a bushel of taffeta until my arms stung.
At the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards, everyone understood the assignment

1 month ago | latimes.com | Julissa James

The Fashion Trust U.S. Awards? You kind of had to be there. After the point in the ceremony when Natasha Beddingfield sang “Unwritten” at the top of her lungs, the entire room overtaken by euphoric nostalgia, moving and singing in her reflection, host Keke Palmer correctly retorted: “Why do we all go up for that song?”One: Because it’s a classic. Two: Because it’s filled with hope, pointing us to what’s next.
At the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards, everyone understood the assignment

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Julissa James

The Fashion Trust U.S. Awards? You kind of had to be there. After the point in the ceremony when Natasha Beddingfield sang “Unwritten” at the top of her lungs, the entire room overtaken by euphoric nostalgia, moving and singing in her reflection, host Keke Palmer correctly retorted: “Why do we all go up for that song?”One: Because it’s a classic. Two: Because it’s filled with hope, pointing us to what’s next.
Pretending a fresh start is a good thing, or even possible, isn’t growing up

2 months ago | latimes.com | Julissa James

The first thrift store I remember going to as a child was called Amvets. It was a warehouse-like space that sat between the alley of an apartment complex, a trailer park and a gas station. I’d spend hours under the rows of industrial fluorescent lights playing with the plastic toys that lined the left wall, or I’d hide behind the cheap bridal gowns, hugging a bushel of taffeta until my arms stung.
A shopping experience bringing rare design, art and fashion - with a little bit of intimidation

2 months ago | fresnobee.com | Julissa James

It was clear while ascending to the Pacific Design Center that Design.Space - the inaugural retail experience blending rare design, art and fashion - was for the heads. In the parking lot, I spotted a woman wearing a coat from the Row, another in a pair of Miu Miu thong-boots. The signaling was subtle but clear: We come to this place for flexing. I followed them and other stylish people to the top floor of the center, where rooms holding rare works of art, housewares, furniture and fashion awaited.
A shopping experience bringing rare design, art and fashion — with a little bit of intimidation

2 months ago | latimes.com | Julissa James

It was clear while ascending to the Pacific Design Center that Design.Space — the inaugural retail experience blending rare design, art and fashion — was for the heads. In the parking lot, I spotted a woman wearing a coat from the Row, another in a pair of Miu Miu thong-boots. The signaling was subtle but clear: We come to this place for flexing. I followed them and other stylish people to the top floor of the center, where rooms holding rare works of art, housewares, furniture and fashion awaited.
We made a zine with Lauren Halsey for Frieze, and it's a love letter to South Central

Feb 19, 2025 | latimes.com | Elisa Wouk Almino |Julissa James

This year at Frieze L.A., artist Lauren Halsey is sharing the seeds and vision behind her much-anticipated Summaeverything Community Center, opening in South Central in 2028. The space will bring art and education to local communities, and is a natural extension of Halsey’s art practice, a love letter to the neighborhood she grew up in.